Sam Tomkins, seen here with Wigan team-mates, is currently going through injury rehab

“Before I had the plates out, it was six months before I was running again and there was no real progression with that really until I had the plates out, and that was only about six or seven weeks ago.

“I've been passing things on to Sam, who has also been having problems with the plates in his foot. I spoke to Brian Carney, who had a similar injury a few years ago. He said, ‘I think it would benefit you getting the plates out,' and I’ve said the same to Sam.”

McIlorum could hardly have picked a bigger, more dramatic game to come back in.

Even before he came on, Saints were reduced to 12 men as Kyle Amor was sent off.

Michael McIlorum made his comeback as Wigan got the better of arch-rivals St Helens

But the 29-year-old had had enough of watching – especially after seeing his pals grab domestic and international glory.

He added: “I was counting down the minutes as I sat on the bench, just until I could get out there.

“There was a plan in place to go on around the 30 minute mark and do 10 minutes after half-time too. I don't think the sending off affected that plan.

“I'm not a massive rugby league watcher myself but while I was out, the boys had quite a bit of success in winning Super League and the World Club Challenge, which I haven't won in my career yet, so that was bitter-sweet really.”